A brief history

My 30 plus years of training, teaching, and horsemanship experience began in high school when I competed successfully in the Saddleseat Equitation circuit in western Massachusetts.  I then became a working student for highly respected trainers Michael and Sharon Poulin.  Michael and Sharon introduced me to many aspects of the dressage industry and provided me the opportunity to ride well-trained school masters with daily instruction.

Upon graduating from Mount Holyoke College in 1986, I went to work for Kathy Connelly, popular USEF “S” judge and current trainer to many of the country’s top competitors, at Apple Valley Farm in Harvard, Massachusetts (now Elysium Farm).  Kathy and I formed an extremely successful training partnership that continued at Apple Valley through 2003.  This time with Kathy provided a solid foundation for my training and teaching knowledge.  

During my 17 years at Apple Valley, I gained a deep understanding of correct, gymnastic training by riding 5 to 7 horses a day under Kathy’s supervision.  I had the opportunity to train a wide variety of horses, ranging from international quality Warmbloods to Thoroughbreds off the track, from confirmed Grand Prix horses to young horses starting under saddle (and everything in between!).  Acting as barn manager of Apple Valley for 10 years, I also gained an extensive knowledge of horse care and farm management.  Though no longer based at the same facility, Kathy and I continue to enjoy an ongoing training and business relationship and personal friendship.

In 2004, I moved to Vermont to live with my long time partner, Jim White.  I started my own successful training and teaching business, Still Point Dressage.  I keep my education current by continuing to train with Kathy and attending educational symposiums with top quality national and international trainers both as a rider and an auditor.  I compete my own horse, Wixen FFH(Welser/Warkant), breeder Eliza Rutherford, Charlotte, Vermont.